s yours, to the
faults and imperfections of so mean a writer; and instead of being
favourable to the piece, which merits nothing, forgive the presumption
of the author; who is, with all possible veneration,

Your Royal Highness's
Most obedient, most humble,
Most devoted servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.

Footnote:
1. Mary of Este, daughter of the Duke of Modena, and second wife to
James Duke of York, afterwards James II. She was married to him by
proxy in 1673, and came over in the year following. Notwithstanding
her husband's unpopularity, and her own attachment to the Roman
Catholic religion, her youth, beauty, and innocence secured her
from insult and slander during all the stormy period which preceded
her accession to the crown. Even Burnet, reluctantly, admits the
force of her charms, and the inoffensiveness of her conduct. But
her beauty produced a more lasting effect on the young and gallant,
than on that austere and stubborn partizan; and its force must be
allowed, since it was extolled even when Mary was dethroned and
exiled. Granville, Lord Lansdowne, has praised her in "The Progress
of Beauty;" and I cannot forbear transcribing some of the verses,
on account of the gallant spirit of the author, who scorned to
change with fortune, and continued to admire and celebrate, in
adversity, the charms which he had worshipped in the meridian of
prosperity.

And now, my muse, a nobler flight prepare,
And sing so loud, that heaven and earth may hear.
Behold from Italy an awful ray
Of heavenly light illuminates the day;
Northward she bends, majestically bright,
And here she fixes her imperial light.
Be bold, be bold, my muse, nor fear to raise
Thy voice to her who was thy earliest praise[a].
What though the sullen fates refuse to shine,
Or frown severe on thy audacious line;
Keep thy bright theme within thy steady sight,
The clouds shall fly before thy dazzling light,
And everlasting day direct thy lofty flight.
Thou, who hast never yet put on disguise,
To flatter faction, or descend to vice,
Let no vain fear thy generous ardour tame,
But stand erect, and sound as loud as fame.
As when our eye some prospect would pursue,
Descending from a hill looks round to view,
Passes o'er lawns and meadows, till it gains
Some favourite spot, and fixing there